DISCOVER PERU # 42 12 Days / 11 Nights Lima, Amazon Adventure near Iquitos, Arequipa, The Colca Canyon, Puno, Cusco, Pisac Indian Market and Ollantaytambo Fortress, Machu Picchu Day-by-Day Itinerary Day 1 Tuesday - Lima - Arrival Arrival in Lima, the "City of Kings" famous for its Spanish Colonial architecture, extraordinary museums and cuisine. Lima is internationally recognized as the "Gastronomic Capital of the Americas", and its cuisine is considered among the most diverse and exquisite in the world on par with French cuisine. Upon arrival a host will meet and assist you in transferring to the hotel and in registering. Lima City Tour and Larco Museum Tour of Modern and Colonial Lima including the world famous Larco Museum - This half-day tour visits both the colonial and modern sections of Lima. Colonial sites include the lovely Plaza Mayor, the Government Palace, San Francisco Church and the exquisite Torre Tagle Palace modern day seat of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In modern Lima, drive along the exclusive residential areas of Miraflores and San Isidro. Continue to the Larco Museum, founded in 1926, it displays remarkable chronological galleries providing an excellent overview on 3000 years of development of Peruvian pre-columbian history. Located in a unique viceroyal mansion of the 18th century built over a 7th century pre-columbian pyramid is surrounded by beautiful gardens. The Larco Museum also features the finest gold and silver collection from Ancient Peru and the famous erotic archaeological collection, one of the most visited Peruvian tourist attractions. Day 2 Wednesday - Lima / Arequipa (B) Transfer to the airport for your flight to Arequipa at an elevation of 7,300 feet. Upon arrival a host will meet and assist you in transferring to the hotel and in registering. Also known as the "White City" for its many constructions built of white volcanic stone, Arequipa is at the foothills of the Misti Volcano (the guardian of the city) and it has a splendid Cathedral that is considered one of the first seventeenth century religious monuments of the city.
Arequipa City Tour and Santa Catalina Convent - Your half day sightseeing of this beautiful city, placed on the World Cultural Heritage list by UNESCO, features Mixed Baroque churches and mansions from the colonial period like the Monastery of Santa Catalina, The Main Square is bordered by various arched walkways and the Cathedral, it showcase a beautiful bronze fountain of three plates crowned by the figure of a sixteenth century soldier. Around the square, you see three granite portals with brick and lime bases. The Santa Catalina Convent is called "a city within a city", a Spanish city in miniature with stone streets, beautiful patios, and plaza, it is a masterpiece of colonial architecture, and houses some of the finest examples of Spanish American religious art. Since 1970 visitors have been able to stroll through the streets and cloisters that during colonial times were the refuge of female nobility who had decided to isolate from the world and dedicate entirely to prayer. Day 3 Thursday - Arequipa / Colca Canyon (B,L,D) Departure towards the highlands passing through Yura-Pampa Cañahuas and La Pulpera with good possibility of observing groups of wild vicuñas and fighting cattle. The road to the Colca Canyon reaches a high point of 13,000 feet before dropping down to the valley, an area of breath taking landscapes surrounded by terracing and snow-capped peaks. Far below, at a depth of 10,000 feet, the Colca River winds along the bottom of the canyon, the world's deepest. Overnight in Colca Canyon area. Day 4 Friday - Colca Canyon / Puno (B,L) To maximize your probability of seeing condors we depart very early towards a superb natural lookout point Cross of the Condor from where one can watch condors wheeling across the Colca Canyon, at about an altitude of 15,000 feet. The valley also features pre-inca ruins, pre-inca burial grounds and archaeological remains left behind by the Collagua, the ancient inhabitants of the area. Drive further in to the canyon to observe the way of life in this remote land and to admire the impressive irrigation system and the fertile mountains terraced for farming of the Colca valley. Ask your guide to take you to one of the many workshops in which close to a thousand artisans, scattered throughout the towns in the canyon, turn their ancient sewing and weaving machines into paint brushes to give life to impressively intricate and colorful embroidery and shawls. The overland trip to Puno features unique natural scenery of the Peruvian Highlands. Evening arrival in Puno.
Day 5 Saturday - Puno Uros and Taquile Islands on Lake Titikaka (B,L) Boat excursion to Uros and Taquile Islands on Lake Titikaka. This full day excursion will take you to the highest navigable lake in the world to the floating islands of the Uros Indians, man-made islands by tying totora reeds. The Uros considered themselves Lords of the Lake; they hunt wild birds and maintain traditional fishing methods. The men have developed an extraordinary skill in weaving reeds; producing houses, boats and handicrafts, and the women are expert knitters. Continuing to Taquile where a native community of about 400 families still lives with the traditions and high principals of the Incas. Taquile is a very important site on Lake Titikaka for its archeological remains, the sacred and ceremonial sites, the festive activities and their rituals. Taquile is characterized by its friendly inhabitants, who maintain their customs and traditional clothing. They distinguish themselves by their detailed, fine, and colorful textiles with symmetrical decorations and symbols that reflect their way of life and Andean beliefs. Lunch is included. Day 6 Sunday - Puno to Cusco (B,L) Bus journey through the Peruvian Andes from Puno to Cusco - Today one of South America's most extraordinary overland trips takes you by coach to Cusco passing through striking highland scenery and picturesque Andean villages. Brief stops at Raqchi to see the remains of the remarkable temple of Viracocha, considered by the historians an important Inca construction, and at the town of Andahuaylillas, a showcase of the colonial art in Peru, sometimes called "the Sistine Chapel of America". Lunch is included. Day 7 Monday - Cusco City Tour and Nearby Ruins (B) Free morning. Tour of Cusco and Nearby Ruins Visitors are caught up in the excitement of touring the ancient capital of the Inca Empire, a delightful combination of Inca and colonial architecture. The tour visits important landmarks such us Cusco's Cathedral, Plaza de Armas and Koricancha The Temple of the Sun. This tour of the oldest continuously inhabited city in the western hemisphere also includes the nearby ruins of Kenko, Puca-Pucara, Tambomachay as well as the Sacsayhuaman fortress, an imposing example of Inca military architecture. Day 8 Tuesday - Pisac Market and Ollantaytambo Archaeological Complex (B,L) Full Day Excursion to the Pisac Indian Market and the Ollantaytambo Fortress - Morning departure for a drive through the fertile countryside of the Urubamba Valley to the colonial village of Pisac where a unique Indian Market takes place daily. The variety of products offered is overwhelming, from pottery with reproductions of archaeological pieces, to all kinds of textiles, jewelry and Peruvian handicrafts. During your visit to this bustling marketplace you will have the opportunity to bargain with the artisans and indigenous traders. Grab the items you like, you will hardly see the same one again.
Continue to the Ollantaytambo archaeological complex, the Incas built it as a fort that included a temple, agricultural terraces, and an urban area. There are two distinct sectors: The religious and worship zone, and the residential area. Ollantaytambo was an important administrative center with probable military functions if one considers the walls and towers. There are also traces of ancient roads and aqueducts. The town of Ollantaytambo is called a "Living Inca Town" since the inhabitants maintain very old practices and customs. Lunch is at a beautiful country estate on the shores of the Urubamba River. Day 9 Wednesday - Machu Picchu (B,L) Morning train ride through the sacred valley of Urubamba to the "Lost City of the Incas," Machu Picchu. Perched 8,200 feet above the valley, it was hidden by mountains and semi-tropical jungles for 400 years until discovered by Hiram Bingham of Yale University in 1911. Archaeologists believe that the Inca "Virgins of the Sun" took refuge from the Spanish Conquistadors here. Guided tour of the ruins upon arrival. Lunch is at the Orient Express Sanctuary Lodge located just a few steps from the Inca citadel. Day 10 Thursday Flight to Puerto Maldonado, Posada Amazonas 2 Night Adventure, all meals and excursions included. (B,L,D) Transfer to the airport for your flight to Puerto Maldonado. Upon arrival in Puerto Maldonado we will welcome you at the airport and drive you ten minutes to lodge town office. While enjoying your first taste of the forest in our gardens we will ask you to pack only the necessary gear for your next few days, and leave the rest at our safe deposit. This helps us keep the boats and cargo light. Transfer to river pier for a forty five minute boat ride from the Tambopata Port to Posada Amazonas which will take us into the Community s Primary Forest Private Reserve. A twenty-minute walk from Posada Amazonas leads to the 30-meter scaffolding canopy tower. A banister staircase running through the middle provides safe access to the platforms above. From atop you obtain spectacular views of the vast expanses of standing forest cut by the Tambopata River winding through the middle. Now and then toucans, parrots or macaws are seen flying against the horizon, or mixed species canopy flocks land in the treetop next to you. Evening presentation on the Inferno eco-tourism project is available every night from a staff member.
Day 11 Friday At Posada Amazonas (B,L,D) Tres Chimbadas Oxbow Lake: Tres Chimbadas is thirty minutes by boat and forty five minutes hiking from Posada Amazonas. Once there you will paddle around the lake in a catamaran, searching for the resident family of nine giant river otters (seen by 60% of our lake visitors) and other lakeside wildlife such as caiman, hoatzin and horned screamers. Parrot clay lick: This clay lick is only a twenty minute walk from Posada Amazonas. From a blind located about twenty meters away you will see dozens of parrots and parakeets descend on most clear mornings to ingest the clay on a river bank. Species such as Mealy and Yellow- headed Amazon, Blue-headed Parrot and Dusky headed Parakeet descend at this clay lick. The clay lick is most active at dawn and during the late mornings and mid-afternoons. Ethno botanical Tour: A twenty minute boat drive downriver leads you to a trail designed by the staff of the Centro Ñape. The Centro Ñape is a communal organization that produces medicines out of forest plants and administers them to patients who choose their little clinic. They have produced a trail which explains the different medicinal (and other) uses of selected plants. Night walk. You will have the option of hiking out at night, when most of the mammals are active but rarely seen. Much easier to find are frogs with shapes and sounds as bizarre as their natural histories. Day 12 Puerto Maldonado Lima - Home (B) Retrace your river and road journey back to Puerto Maldonado and on to the airport for your departure flight to Lima and your connecting international flight. End of Services
Tour includes: All airport transfers listed in the itinerary Baggage handling at airports and at hotels All tours and excursions indicated in the itinerary All entrance fees and transfers needed to operate tours and excursions All train tickets, bus tickets and boat services needed to operate tours and excursions Excursion to Machu Picchu is aboard the Vistadome Train. Lunch in the excursion to Machu Picchu: Lunch at Sanctuary Lodge Service of a bilingual licensed tour guide for all tours and excursions All meals indicated in the itinerary. B for breakfast, L for lunch. D for dinner Hotel accommodation and hotel service charge Hotel taxes are exempt for foreigners visiting Peru When domestic airfare within Peru is specified as included: Airfare includes all queues, security fee, fuel surcharges and 18% Peruvian sales tax. Not included: Extra expenses in case of modifying the itinerary due to flight cancelation, strikes or blocking of roads and train tracks by demonstrators or political activists. Travel insurance is strongly recommended. When staying overnight in Machu Picchu, the entrance fee for the 2nd day in Machu Picchu is not included. This can be added to the itinerary upon request Expenses such us beverages on meals, tips, laundry, phone calls and other personal expenses are not included When a cruise to the Galapagos Islands is part of the itinerary, the Galapagos National Park Tax is not included. It is payable upon arrival at the Galapagos Islands Cancelation Penalties for FIT s The cancellation penalty is 100% when services are cancelled within 30 days of arrival. When the deadline to cancel without penalties is longer than 30 days, Fiesta Tours Peru will notify you upon confirmation of services. Amazon river cruises and Galapagos island cruises are not refundable when services are cancelled within 90 days of arrival. When deadline changes, clients will be notified. General Conditions for Groups Rooming list is due 50 days prior to arrival (1). Payment is due 50 days prior to arrival. An updated number of rooms to be needed is recommended 90 days prior to arrival. Hotels cancellation penalty will be provided upon confirmation. Transfers and tours have a 100% cancellation penalty for services cancelled within 30 days of arrival. Airfares have a 100% cancellation penalty for flights cancelled within 35 days of departure. Inka Terra Hotels requires a 20% non-refundable deposit 95 days prior to arrival. They reserve the right to request a 20% non-refundable deposit at any given moment. Final rooming list is due 65 days prior to arrival. (1) The following hotels will require the final rooming list 65 days prior to arrival: Belmond Hotels, J.W. Marriott and Gran Hotel Faraona. V-Apr-15-2014 Please review our General Conditions http://www.fiestatoursperu.com/gcenglish/
Hotels used in Tour Packages: For Discover Peru Series 2018 City Lima Cusco Valle Sagrado Tourist Tambo # 1 or Los Girasoles Tourist Superior Miraflores Centro or Tambo # 2 Terra Andina Standard Samay or San Room or Eco Inn or Jose Agustin Internacional Antonio or Classic Cusco La Hacienda Valle or Agustos Urubamba Villa Urubamba or San Agustin Monasterio de la Recoleta First Class Select Miraflores or Jose Antonio Terra Andina Sup Room or Sonesta Hotel Cusco Sonesta Posadas del Inca Yucay First Class Superior Melia Lima or Dazzler or Four Points by Sheraton Premium or Novotel or Costa del Sol Premium Valle Sagrado Deluxe Premium Miraflores or El Pardo Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Palacio del Inka A Luxury Collection Sol y Luna Casita(superior) or Aranwa Sacred Valley Hotel & Wellness Luxury Belmond Miraflores Park or Country Club Lima Belmond Monasterio Belmond Rio Sagrado or Tambo del Inka A Luxury Collection Aguas Calientes Hatun Samay Machu Picchu El Mapi or Casa Andina Classic Machu Picchu El Mapi or Casa Andina Classic Machu Picchu Casa del Sol Machu Picchu Boutique Hotel Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo or Sumaq Belmond Sanctuary Lodge Arequipa Arequipa Tierra Viva Arequipa Plaza El Cabildo Select Arequipa Premium Arequipa Libertador Arequipa Colca Colca Colca Colca Lodge or Aranwa Pueblito Encantado Colca Lodge or Aranwa Pueblito Encantado Colca Lodge or Aranwa Pueblito Encantado Casitas del Colca Puno La Hacienda Plaza de Armas Eco Inn Puno Sonesta Posadas del Inca Puno Sonesta Posadas del Inca Puno Premium Puno Libertador Lago Titicaca Trujillo Posada del Rey Costa del Sol Trujillo Costa del Sol Trujillo Libertador Trujillo Libertador Trujillo Premium Trujillo Chiclayo Wyndham Costa del Sol Chiclayo Wyndham Costa del Sol Chiclayo Winmeier Chiclayo Winmeier Chiclayo Select Chiclayo Select Chiclayo Ica Las Dunas Las Dunas Las Dunas Las Dunas Las Dunas Las Dunas Paracas San Agustin Paracas San Agustin Paracas La Hacienda Bahia Paracas La Hacienda Bahia Paracas DoubleTree by Hilton Resort Paracas o Aranwa Paracas Resort & Spa Hotel Paracas A Luxury Collection Resort Nazca Nazca Majoro Majoro Hotel Nuevo Cantayoc Hotel Nuevo Cantayoc Hotel Nuevo Cantayoc Iquitos - Lodges Ceiba Tops Ceiba Tops Ceiba Tops Ceiba Tops Ceiba Tops Ceiba Tops Iquitos - City Victoria Regia Victoria Regia El Dorado Plaza El Dorado Plaza El Dorado Plaza El Dorado Plaza Puerto Maldonado Posada Amazonas Posada Amazonas La Hacienda Concepcion La Hacienda Concepcion Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica Piura - Beaches Mancora Beach Bungalows Mancora Beach Bungalows Vichayito Bungalows y Carpas by Aranwa Vichayito Bungalows y Carpas by Aranwa Arennas Mancora Arennas Mancora
TOURIST CLASS HOTELS Double Room 3004 3790 3092 2776 2471 2380 2314 2246 2203 Triple Room 2958 3046 2730 2424 2334 2267 2199 2156 Single Room 4770 3526 6418 4311 3614 3298 2992 2902 2835 2767 2724 TOURIST SUPERIOR HOTELS Double Room 3067 3852 3155 2839 2534 2443 2376 2308 2266 Triple Room 3091 3179 2863 2558 2467 2400 2332 2290 Single Room 4951 3707 6599 4492 3795 3479 3174 3083 3016 2948 2906 FIRST CLASS HOTELS Double Room 3124 3910 3212 2896 2591 2500 2434 2366 2323 Triple Room 3059 3147 2831 2526 2435 2368 2300 2258 Single Room 4967 3835 6615 4620 3923 3607 3302 3211 3144 3076 3034 FIRST CLASS SUPERIOR HOTELS Double Room 3238 4023 3326 3010 2704 2614 2547 2479 2436 Triple Room 3106 3194 2878 2572 2482 2415 2347 2304 Single Room 5147 4015 6795 4800 4103 3787 3482 3391 3324 3256 3214 DELUXE HOTELS Double Room 3898 4683 3986 3670 3364 3274 3207 3139 3096 Triple Room 3867 3955 3639 3334 3243 3176 3108 3066 Single Room 6448 5236 8096 6022 5324 5008 4703 4612 4546 4478 4435 LUXURY HOTELS Double Room 4991 5776 5079 4763 4458 4367 4300 4232 4190 Triple Room 4762 4850 4534 4228 4138 4071 4003 3960 Single Room 8638 7426 10286 8211 7514 7198 6892 6802 6735 6667 6624